Davie Picks New Firm For Bus Service

November 9, 2005|By David Volz Special Correspondent

The Town Council recently awarded a $64,000-a-year contract to provide free bus service in Davie's east side.

The council rejected its staff recommendation of Quality Transportation Inc. and chose instead Limousines of South Florida. The contract will run through September 2008, according to a report by procurement director Herb Hyman.

Limousines will provide free transportation to residents along the Green Route in east Davie. Under the contract, Broward County pays $20 per ridership hour and the town pays the rest, which is $10.36 per ridership hour.

Quality Transportation continues to provide service on the Blue Route in west Davie. It is under contract to handle this route for another year.

According to town records, the two firms offered the same price to service the route. Council members, however, expressed concern over the number of complaints received by Quality.

Quality has received 26 complaints during the past nine months, and others have called Davie officials raising questions about the firm's service, according to town records.

"We made a good choice," said Councilwoman Susan Starkey. "Quality has received many complaints, and I take those complaints seriously. Quality still has one route in Davie, but that is coming up for bid. I say to Quality, `Watch out.'"

Vice Mayor Lisa Hubert agreed.

"It is good that we have two bus vendors in Davie," she said. "This will ensure Davie residents get the best service."

Rod Feiner, attorney for Quality, argued that the firm has provided good service and that Limousines has had service issues in other cities.

Quality has "worked to resolve those complaints ... and we just want you to reconsider us," Feiner said.

Council members refused. "I really did not want to reopen the discussion," said Mayor Tom Truex.